Knock-down table of paperboard sheet material

ABSTRACT

A knock-down table of stiff foldable paperboard sheet stock and the like having a single-piece platform section folded into the shape of an inverted obelisk and open at the bottom, and a single-piece pedestal section folded in tubular form and inserted into said bottom. Notched flap members foldably joined to the side panels of the platform section extend internally thereof and are slidably engaged by notched corner portions of the pedestal tube to support and releasably hold said folded shape of the platform section.

V United States Patent Budington [s41 KNOCK-DOWN TABLE OF PAPERBOARDSHEET MATERIAL [72] Inventor:

Conn.

731 Assignee: Longview Fiber Company 221 Filed: 111. 20.1971

211 Appl.No.: 173,432

[52] US. Cl 108/150, 108/157 [51] Int. Cl..... ..A47b 13/02 [58] Fieldof Search ..108/l53, 157, 159, 150

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,212,464 10/1965 Stet/er.'.1os/1s9 Richard V. Budington, Somers/ [451 Dec. 12, 1972 3,620,17511/1971 Craneetal. ..l08/1S7X Primary Examiner-James C. MitchellAttorney-Chapin, Neal & Dempsey [5 7 ABSTRACT A knock-down table ofstiff foldable paperboard sheet stock and the like having a single-pieceplatform section folded into the shape of an inverted obelisk and openat the bottom, and a single-piece pedestal section folded in tubularform and inserted into said bottom. Notched flap members foldably joinedto the side panels of the platform section extend internally thereof andare slidably engaged by notched corner portions of the pedestal tube tosupport and releasably hold said folded shape of the platform section.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to collapsible or knock-down tables of relatively stiff foldablepaperboard sheet stockand to single-piece flat blank structures fromwhich such tables may be made.

Heretofore, prior tables of foldable corrugated or paperboard sheetmaterial have, insofar as I am aware, been characterized by relativelycumbersome means for erecting, supporting or bracing the table in orderto provide the desired stability in an assembled condition. It is anobject of the present invention to provide a knockdown table-top sectionfolded from a single piece flat blank and into which a tubular pedestalbase section, folded from a single-piece blank, may be slidablyinserted. When fitted together these two sections require no furtheranchoring or support means in order to supply a sturdy, self-containedtable unit. Further, by reason of the unique arrangement of foldingpanels and flaps the exterior surfaces of the table top or platformsection are clear of all raw, cut or free edges of sheet material. Atthe corners of the section outer surfaces only of the folded hinge lineportions are exposed. Accordingly, all exterior surfaces are smooth andnot only less subject to wear by abrasion, but also the'outer panelsurfaces may be printed with a wood grain or other decorative surfaceornamentation for greatly enhancing the clean and neat appearancethereof. In the case of the pedestal section one free vertical edge onlylies exposed along a corner of the four sided tubular column.

A further object of this invention is to provide a foldable blankconstruction in which the free edges of the panels and flaps of theplatform section are, in a preferred form, arranged to verticallysupport and brace the underside of the table platform as a reinforcementin the central area of the table top and to provide a verticalreinforcing support means at each corner portion thereof. Thus, a sturdyand rugged table-top panel surface of greater load-supporting capacityis automatically built into the assembly.

The two foldable sections of this invention are readily formed byconventional die cutting and creasing equipment from flat sheets ofsuitable stiff paperboard or corrugated material. A die cuttingandsingle gluing operation only is required to provide the flat foldedcondition of the tubular pedestal section. The platform sectioncomprises a central portion and side panel extensions and the latter maybe folded to reduce the overall size thereof and together with the flatfolded pedestal section may be economoically stored for inventorystocking purposes and later shipment to a customer in a convenient flatpackage form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention in its preferred form ispracticed by providing the single-piece table-top platform blankand asingle-piece pedestal blank folded and secured in flat tubular form. Theplatform blank has a four-sided central portion. At each side isfoldably joined a sidepanel of isosceles trapezoidal form for bendinginwardly below the table-top and defining therewith aninverted obeliskhaving an openbottom. The non-parallel edges of the side panels areprovided with wing flaps which are folded inwardly and at the meetingedges of adjacent side panels lie in pairs in diagonally directed faceto face relation, portions thereof extending inwardly of the corners ofthe open bottom and at said comers having mating vertically disposednotcIiesQThe outer edges of the side panels are also provided withfoldably joined support flaps which are turned vertically to abuttinglyengage the free edges against the underside of the central table-toparea and thus all form a central socket below the top. The foldedtubular pedestal section preferably has four side walls and in the upperportion has vertical notches at the corners between the walls. When thepedestal is inserted in the socketed bottom opening of the top section,the pedestal notches slide over and embrace each pair of wing flaps atthe comers of the opening and the mating notches of the wing flaps slideover and embrace the corner portions of the pedestal below the notchesof the latter. This nested engagement holds the folded obelisk form ofthe upper section and reinforces the engagement of the pedestal in thesocket against twisting forces.

Preferably the upper edges of the pedestal together with the supportflaps, seat against the underside of the table-top for bracing thecentral area thereof, and the upper edges of said wing flaps alsopreferably seat against the underside of the table-top for a diagonalreinforcement bracing at the corners thereof.

FIGURES FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the inside face of a flat blankfrom which a table-top platform section of the table is foldablyerected;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a first step in erectingthe platform section;

FIG. 3 is a similar view showing the blank completely folded and furtherillustrating the upper portion (inverted) of a tubular pedestal memberpositioned for assembly therewith;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view from below an assembled table;

FIG. 5 is a central vertical section on an enlarged scale of anassembled table showing the interrelationship of parts;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a view on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 a blank from which thetable-top platform section of a knock-down assembly is formed is shownin flat planar condition. The single-piece blank is cut from paperboardsheet material such as light weight corrugated stock and the like. Itmay be conveniently formed on standard die cutting and creasingmachinery. As shown a central four-sided panel portion 2 is provided fora table-top surface. Joined to the panel 2 along creased fold lines at 3are side panels 4 of isosceles trapezoidal form. At the outer parallelside edges of panels 4 creased fold lines at 6 form hinged connectionsfor rectangular flap portions 8, theouter corners of the latter beingdiagonally cut as shown at 10. At the non-parallel sides of panels 4 andfoldably connected thereto along creaselines at l2'are wing flaps 14.

Flaps 14 extend beyond the fold lines 6 connecting panel 4 and flap 8,and in the edges of the extended portions 15 at opposite sides of eachflap 8, notches l6 inunn end of fold line 3. The remaining side edge 18of wing flap 14 opposite fold line l2 is preferably out along a line inacute angular relationship therewith to provide a desirable length foredge 17, which as will be later seen provides support at the undersideof the adjacent corner of panel 2.

In FIG. 2 a single side panel 4 with its flap extensions is shown foldedagainst the underside of platform panel 2. As will be noted panel 4 liesin an inwardly angled relation to platform 2; flap 8 is verticallyfolded to rest its outer edge against platform 2; and wing flaps 14 areturned inwardly on fold lines 12 to lie with extensions thereofprojecting diagonally inwardly from the ends of fold line 6 and theflaps l4 vertically disposed with edges 17 resting against panel 2 andextending diagonally at the corners thereof (see FIGS. 5, 6). Wing flaps14 additionally abut the side edges of flaps 8 (see FIG. 6) and whenfolded in such condition are positionally set for further assemblyoperations.

The other side panels and flap members are similarly folded againstpanel 2 and manually held in the condition shown by FIG. 3. It is to benoted that the nonparallel folded edges at 12 of adjacent side panelsare brought together in juxtaposed relation and the inwardly turned wingflaps thereof thus lie face to face in pairsat each comer. It will alsobe seen that the notches 16 of the paired wing flaps are furthermorebrought into registration inwardly adjacent the corners of the centralopening defined by the outer edges at 6 of the four side panels 8. Aspreviously mentioned the portions 15 of flaps 14 project inwardly and asin FIG. 3 extend diagonally of each corner of the opening.

In the folded condition of FIG. 3 the edges or fold lines 6 of the sidepanels form the opening of a socket or well defined by the flaps 8 andextend from the underside of platform 2. Into the socket as describedand as indicated by FIG. 3, a tubular pedestal may be inserted. Thepedestal is formed from a simple flat blank (not shown). As will bereadily appreciated, however, the blank comprises four body panels and aconventional narrow glue panel 22 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6), these panelsbeing hingedly joined as along parallel creased fold lines at 24. Thepedestal section thus formed from a single-piece blank may be foldedflat for storage or shipping purposes in conventional fashion andarranged in tubular form as shown for assembly with the platformsection. As indicated in FIG. 3 the four upper comer portions of thepedestal are provided with notches at 26 and the sections are assembledby sliding the notched portions 26 over the paired wing flap extensions15 at each comer of the socket. The notched portions 26 register withthe matching notches 16 in the paired flaps so that when the upper endedges of panels 20 seat against the underside of panel 2 the notches 16engage the creased hinge line portions 24 beyond the ends of notches 26.This slidable interengagement in the corners of the socket is clearlyshown by FIGS. 5, 6, 7 as will be described in detail.

For storage and shipping purposes the pedestal may be f;attemed byfolding the sides 20 of diagonally opposite corners together face toface according to standard practices. The blank of FIG. 1 may belikewise folded into flat condition by turning each panel 4 and itsassociated flaps inwardly to nest in planar overlapping relation againstpanel 2. The two sections or a group of sections may thus beconveniently wrapped for shipment to a customer.

The assembled table is shown by FIG. 4 and it will be seen that the onlyexposed free edge of any panel member of the entire assembly, except atthe bottom of the pedestal, is that of the panel 20 where it is affixedto glue panel 22. Thus, the outside of the blanks may be faced with adecorative, ornamental covering ply and so present a clean uninterruptedappearance in the assembled unit.

In the sectional views of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the relationship of thevarious panel and flap members is clearly shown in the assembled unit.The vertical disposition of the supporting flaps 8 is shown with thefree edges thereof abutting the underside of panel 2. Together with theadjacent upper edges of pedestal walls 20 the flaps 8 form areinforcement supporting means for the central area of the panel andcontribute to the load bearing characteristics of the table surface. Atthe comers of the panel 2 the diagonal bracing means provided by theedges 17 of the pairs of wing flaps is apparent. Thus the underside ofpanel 2 is braced in areas where the various supporting members providea desirable stability and sturdiness against warping or giving underrelatively heavy loads. Panel 2 thus will maintain a flat planartable-top surface over a long period of usage. I

It will also be noted particularly from FIG. 6 that the walls 20 of thepedestal section fit snugly inside the socket or well formed by theflaps 8, the walls 20 being slidably interlocked at the corners. Thenotches 26 between walls 20 embrace the paired wing flaps 14 and thepedestal thus holds the side walls 4 inwardly folded in position tomaintain the obelisk shape of the platform section. In turn the notches16 of flaps 14 hold the pedestal securely at said corners andeffectively resist any relative twisting forces.

The assembly, as will be readily apparent, may be more easily dismantledthan it was erected, all as above described. Accordingly, the unit isavailable for temporary use and convenient storage when not in use. Ifdesired it may serve as a more or less permanent table stand.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shownin the drawings as a knockdown table structure with a square table-topplatform surface, it will be appreciated that the invention broadlyincludes structures in which the table top is rectangular or polygonalin form. FY-H What is claimed isi I V l. A collapsible table. of stiffpaperboard sheet material and the like comprising a single-piecefoldable table-top blank having a polygonal central platform portion,

side panels of isoceles trapezoidal form folded downwardly and inwardlyfrom the sides of said platform portion, the non-parallel side edges ofsaid panels extending diagonally from and below the corners of theplatform, the non-parallel edges of adjacent panels below each cornerlying in juxtaposed relation and the lower edges l060l0 006i of thepanels defining a socket-like central opening in spaced relation belowsaid platform, and wing flaps folded inwardly from said non-parallelside edges and lying face to face in pairs below each platform corner,each pair of flaps having portions thereof projecting diagonallyinwardly of the corners of said central opening, and a single-piecefoldable base pedestal blank having walls arranged in tubular form, theupper end portions thereof extending upwardly through said opening andhaving vertically notched corner portions between adjacent walls at saidupper end slidably embracing said paired inwardly projecting portions ofthe wing flaps upwardly of the corners of said opening and therebyreleasably holding said juxtaposed side panel edges together at eachcorner, the upper end edges of said tubular walls abuttingly supportingsaid platform at its underside. 2. The structure of claim 1, in which,said central platform portion is four-sided. 3. The structure of claim2, in which, upwardly turned vertically disposed flaps extend from saidlower edges of the side panels and the upper edges of the flaps lie insupporting relationship against the underside of said platform. 4. Thestructure of claim 2, in which, said paired inwardly projecting portionsof the wing flaps adjacent the corners of said central opening areprovided with matching vertically notched portions embracing cornerportions of said tubular pedestal walls below the upper notched portionsthereof. 5. The structure of claim 4, in which, the upper edges of saidpairs of wing flaps lie in supporting relationship against theundersurface of said platform portion at each corner thereof. 6. Thestructure of claim 5, in which, upwardly turned vertically disposedflaps extend from the said lower edges of the side panels and the upperedges of the flaps lie in supporting relationship against the undersideof said platform and in contiguous relation with the outer surfaces ofthe upper end wall portions of said foldable base pedestal. 7. Asingle-piece blank of stiff paperboard sheet material and the likefoldable for table-top platform use into an inverted obelisk form havingan open bottom to receive a pedestal supporting member, said blankcomprising a four-sided central platform portion provided with foldablyjoined side panel portions of isosceles trapezoidal form at the sideedges thereof, the nonparallel sides of each side panel extendingconvergently from opposite ends of said platform sides and having wingflap portions foldably joined to said non-parallel panel sides andprovided with extensions projecting outwardly beyond the outer cornersof the side panels the wing flaps being foldable inwardly of the sidepanels to which they are joined, the side panels being foldable inwardlyof the platform and in angular relation thereto at its underside forpositioning adjacent non-parallel edges of adjacent side panels in mateduxtaposed relationship and thereby forming said obelisk shape, 7

the outer edges of said side panels defining an open ing spaced from theunderside of the platform and said wing flaps at said matingnon-parallel panel edges lying in inwardly turned. pairs in face to facerelation perpendicular to the platform with the said extensions thereoflying inwardly relative to said opening.

8. A first blank as recited in claim 7, in combination with a foldabletubular member formed from a singlepiece second blank of sheet materialsimilar to that of said first blank, for pedestal use and assembly insupporting relation to said first blank when the latter is in foldedobelisk form, said tubular member having four walls foldably joined tolie in a flap collapsed condition and at right angles to one another foran erected tubular condition, the portions at the corners between saidwalls at an upper end of the member being notched,

said upper end in erected tubular condition being insertable within theedges of said opening of the folded obelisk form of the first blank andthe notched portions at said upper end being slidably engageable toembrace said extensions of the wing flaps and hold the same together tomaintain said obelisk form.

9. The combination of claim 8, in which,

said first blank at the outer parallel edges of said side panel portionsis provided with foldably joined flap members of generally rectangularform for turning against the underside of said platform portion insupporting relation thereto.

1. A collapsible table of stiff paperboard sheet material and the likecomprising a single-piece foldable table-top blank having a polygonalcentral platform portion, side panels of isoceles trapezoidal formfolded downwardly and inwardly from the sides of said platform portion,the nonparallel side edges of said panels extending diagonally from andbelow the corners of the platform, the non-parallel edges of adjacentpanels below each corner lying in juxtaposed relation and the loweredges of the panels defining a socketlike central opening in spacedrelation below said platform, and wing flaps folded inwardly from saidnon-parallel side edges and lying face to face in pairs below eachplatform corner, each pair of flaps having portions thereof projectingdiagonally inwardly of the corners of said central opening, and asingle-piece foldable base pedestal blank having walls arranged intubular form, the upper end portions thereof extending upwardly throughsaid opening and having vertically notched corner portions betweenadjacent walls at said upper end slidably embracing said paired inwardlyprojecting portions of the wing flaps upwardly of the corners of saidopening and thereby releasably holding said juxtaposed side panel edgestogether at each corner, the upper end edges of said tubular wallsabuttingly supporting said platform at its underside.
 2. The structureof claim 1, in which, said central platform portion is four-sided. 3.The structure of claim 2, in which, upwardly turned vertically disposedflaps extend from said lower edges of the side panels and the upperedges of the flaps lie in supporting relationship against the undersideof said platform.
 4. The structure of claim 2, in which, said pairedinwardly projecting portions of the wing flaps adjacent the corners ofsaid central opening are provided with matching vertically notchedportions embracing corner portions of said tubular pedestal walls belowthe upper notched portions thereof.
 5. The structure of claim 4, inwhich, the upper edges of said pairs of wing flaps lie in supportingrelationship against the undersurface of said platform portion at eachcorner thereof.
 6. The structure of claim 5, in which, upwardly turnedvertically disposed flaps extend from the saId lower edges of the sidepanels and the upper edges of the flaps lie in supporting relationshipagainst the underside of said platform and in contiguous relation withthe outer surfaces of the upper end wall portions of said foldable basepedestal.
 7. A single-piece blank of stiff paperboard sheet material andthe like foldable for table-top platform use into an inverted obeliskform having an open bottom to receive a pedestal supporting member, saidblank comprising a four-sided central platform portion provided withfoldably joined side panel portions of isosceles trapezoidal form at theside edges thereof, the non-parallel sides of each side panel extendingconvergently from opposite ends of said platform sides and having wingflap portions foldably joined to said non-parallel panel sides andprovided with extensions projecting outwardly beyond the outer cornersof the side panels the wing flaps being foldable inwardly of the sidepanels to which they are joined, the side panels being foldable inwardlyof the platform and in angular relation thereto at its underside forpositioning adjacent non-parallel edges of adjacent side panels in matedjuxtaposed relationship and thereby forming said obelisk shape, theouter edges of said side panels defining an opening spaced from theunderside of the platform and said wing flaps at said matingnon-parallel panel edges lying in inwardly turned pairs in face to facerelation perpendicular to the platform with the said extensions thereoflying inwardly relative to said opening.
 8. A first blank as recited inclaim 7, in combination with a foldable tubular member formed from asingle-piece second blank of sheet material similar to that of saidfirst blank, for pedestal use and assembly in supporting relation tosaid first blank when the latter is in folded obelisk form, said tubularmember having four walls foldably joined to lie in a flap collapsedcondition and at right angles to one another for an erected tubularcondition, the portions at the corners between said walls at an upperend of the member being notched, said upper end in erected tubularcondition being insertable within the edges of said opening of thefolded obelisk form of the first blank and the notched portions at saidupper end being slidably engageable to embrace said extensions of thewing flaps and hold the same together to maintain said obelisk form. 9.The combination of claim 8, in which, said first blank at the outerparallel edges of said side panel portions is provided with foldablyjoined flap members of generally rectangular form for turning againstthe underside of said platform portion in supporting relation thereto.